While there was a shake up when Coolmore decided to enter only one horse in the G1 Cazoo Derby, the race has still proven to be a strong edition with 12 colts taking their spot in one of the most famous races in the world.
Saturday at Epsom has plenty for Australians to watch with close relatives to Australian runners in all three stakes races and Aquis looking for its first Cazoo Derby winner with Southern Lights (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). The first stakes race of the day is set for 11.35pm AEST Saturday with the Derby scheduled to run at 1.30am AEST.
Aquis colt contests Cazoo Derby
Coolmore’s G1 Cazoo Derby runner Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is a full brother to the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained G2 Zipping Classic winner Southern France (Ire). Also in the colt’s family is the stakes winner Rosina Lad (NZ) (Faltaat {USA}) and his Group-placed half-brother Manonamission (NZ) (Kilimanjaro {GB}). Southern France ran last weekend in the G3 Premier’s Cup and is currently spelling.
Two-time Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Joseph O’Brien sends the Aquis Racing co-owned Southern Lights to the Derby two starts after breaking his maiden. Purchased by Aquis as a yearling for €550,000 (AU$869,750), the colt’s grandam is a full sister to Champion High Chaparral (Ire). One of their half-sisters is the dam of the Stuart Kendrick-trained and stakes-placed galloper Fastnet Cyclone (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) with a second half-sister the dam of G2 Gold Cup winner Hunting Horn (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).
Out of a half-sister to the dam of shuttle sire National Defense (Ire), Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) races as a homebred for Godolphin. The colt ended last season with a 9l maiden victory and has been twice in both his appearances – both at stakes level – this year. Another one of his dam’s half-sisters is the dam of Australian stakes-placed full siblings Harmattan (Street Cry {Ire}) and Anemol (Street Cry {Ire}) with another Australian-bred Street Cry (Ire) further down the page in the stakes-placed Pyx Chamber.
The undefeated Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) steps up from a Group 2 to a Group 1 in this race as one of three runners for Godolphin. His third dam is a half-sister to Hazariya (Ire) (Xaar {GB}), who is the dam of dual Derby winner Harzand (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and his Australian stakes-winning half-brother Haripour (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}). Hazariya is also a half-sister to the dam of Australian Group winner and multiple Group 1-placed Big Duke (Ire) (Raven’s Pass {USA}).
Easily winning the Listed Newmarket S. on G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas Day, Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) earned his spot in the Derby when he romped by 5l. The Shadwell runner is out of a half-sister to the dam of multiple Australian Group-placed Dal Harraild (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), who was retired last July after running once for Matt Cumani.
Harlech sibling among Princess Elizabeth runners
A Group 3 winner two starts ago Maamora (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) is looking for a second win at the level in the G3 Princess Elizabeth S. over 1700 metres. The 5-year-old is a half-sister to the dam of dual Group 1-winner Hungry Heart (Frankel {GB}). Hungry Heart’s dam Harlech (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) was purchased at the 2016 Tattersalls July Sale by Sheamus Mills and Yulong Investments for 60,000 gns (AU$119,700) and in addition to Hungry Heart, also has 2-year-old Snitzel colt Duty Dynasty in training – that one with Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young. Harlech also has a yearling Snitzel filly and visited new stallion Alabama Express last year.
Looking for her first Group success this weekend is Posted (GB) (Kingman {GB}). A half-sister to the dams of Group 1 winners Cursory Glance (USA) (Distorted Humor {USA}) and Digital Age (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), her own dam is a half-sister to the dam of Chief Ironside (GB) (Lawman {Fr}) with Intrigue (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) also in the family. Group 2 winner Chief Ironside is in training with Kris Lees and Group 2-placed Intrigue is in training with Tony Pike in New Zealand.
Toronado (Ire) sends out Illykato (GB), who is looking for her first Group victory after winning a Listed race last out. A half-sister to Group 2 winner Beacon (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}), the filly’s family includes Group 1 winner Loch Garman (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and Classic-placed Rehn’s Nest (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}).
Sold at the Tattersalls December Sale and moved to England from France, Queen Kahlua (GB) (Kingman {GB}) is looking for her first stakes victory in the Princess Elizabeth. The filly’s grandam is a half-sister to Australian stakes winner Singing (Fr) (Singspiel {Ire}), who retired to Thunder Ridge Stud in Queensland in 2019.
No Nay Never’s (USA) Thank You Next is a granddaughter of Pass The Peace (Ire) (Alzao {USA}), who is the fourth dam of late Australian Champion Atlantic Jewel (Fastnet Rock). Atlantic Jewel’s grandam Nanshan (Ire) (Nashwan {USA}) was imported to Australia in 1998 with others under her name including Group 1 winner I Am Excited (Snitzel), Commanding Jewel (Commands) and Group 3 winner Flippant (Hinchinbrook).
Sikandarabad half runs in Diomed
Listed Mornington Cup Prelude winner and G1 Metropolitan H. third Sikandarabad (Ire) (Dr. Fong {USA}) sees his half-brother Marie’s Diamond (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) contest the G3 Cazoo Diomed S. over 1700 metres. Sikandarabad was sold for $100,000 at the 2020 Inglis Digital May Sale and is in training with Sam Kavanagh, last running on May 1.
